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When dragons and mermaids meet for Chinese New Year
As Chinese New Year draws nearer, a fabled love bridge and two mythical creatures enliven the festive air at the Jakarta Aquarium & Safari (JAQS) in Neo Soho Mall, West Jakarta.
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Sea life: Visitors take a closer look at a stingray and other fish at the Jakarta Aquarium & Safari. (JP/Courtesy of Radhiyya Indra) (JP/Radhiyya Indra)
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cowherd, in tears, wanders along a bridge looking for his lover. But as he walks to the other end, he finds her trapped in the form of a mermaid, so he begs a Chinese dragon underwater to let her be with him above ground.
That was the story of the mini-opera performance at Jakarta Aquarium & Safari (JAQS) in Neo Soho Mall, West Jakarta, on Thursday. As Chinese New Year draws nearer, a fabled love bridge and two mythical creatures enliven the festive air at the aquarium.
“Our Sea of Love Bridge was taken from a Chinese romantic folktale [about] a simple cowherd who met an angel from heaven one day and they fell in love with each other,” explained JAQS spokesperson Fira Basuki to the media on Thursday.
Since the gods did not agree on their love, they were banished to the opposite ends of the galaxy. But the universe – in most variations of the folktale, a flock of magpies – helped build a bridge for them to meet once a year.
Hence, the myth goes that the bridge only shows up on Chinese New Year’s Day.
“Since our Lunar New Year theme is changing every year, we incorporated the ‘Sea of Love’ story this year because [this year’s] Lunar New Year is close to Valentine’s Day,” Fira said.
But the aquarium also utilizes its underwater crew to put a twist on the folktale. The cowherd, Niulang, finds his love Zhinü as a mermaid swimming behind the aquarium glass with Liong, the mythological Chinese dragon who is a famous character in Chinese New Year celebrations.
Those who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day can also have an exclusive romantic dinner with an aquarium view. They are also encouraged to take pictures together in the tunnel under the “Sea of Love” bridge.
“Visitors can meet their soulmates on this bridge, or if they already have partners, their [relationship] will last forever, so the saying goes,” Fira said.
Both an indoor recreational spot and a conservation organization under Taman Safari Indonesia Group, JAQS is home to around 3,500 species of aquatic and non-aquatic creatures.
“The animals’ conservation and health are our priority,” Fira emphasized, noting that a new species comes along every now and then, especially endemic and local ones. But other species from different continents, like the black-and-white ruffed lemur from Madagascar, are also conserved there.
Visitors can enjoy the “Sea of Love” mini-opera every day up to Feb. 28, including the daily mermaid theatrical performance “The Pearl of the South Sea” that has become Jakarta Aquarium’s trademark showing.
